Phnum Proek District Postal Code: Battambang Province

Further information: Demographics of CambodiaOfficial records of the population of Battambang have been kept since 1998, when the population was reported to be 138,271. According to the 2019 census, Battambang city had a total population of 119,251, a decline of 1.9% since 2008.The city's nine universities have been cited as a contributing factor to attracting 9,579 students from the surrounding region, as of 2016.Religion Buddhism Battambang is home to a number of Buddhist pagodas. In 2022, 31 of these received heritage status, all of them being over 60 years old, and they have been promoted for domestic religious tourism. Thai architecture and the Rattanakosin style are visible on the pagodas and stupas built during Siamese rule. Pagodas built later display an architectural style unique to Battambang. Wat Damrei Sar, built in the 19th century, is the oldest pagoda in the city. Catholicism Battambang has a small Catholic community and an apostolic prefecture. The Catholic community in Cambodia was heavily persecuted during the Khmer Rouge era, and the Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral was destroyed. Bahá'í Around 7 kilometers (4 mi) south of Battambang, in Odambang commune, stands the city's Bahá'í House of Worship. Inaugurated in 2017, the round, nine-sided edifice features a central dome, spire, and winged parapets.

Content from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), Battambang, revision 1380138672, retrieved 2026-10-17

Content from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), Battambang, revision 1380138672, retrieved 2026-10-17

"View of Battambang" (1863) from Le Tour du MondeBattambang was established as a fishing village in the 11th century, centered around the Sangkae River. In 1795, Siam (modern-day Thailand) annexed much of northwestern Cambodia into the province of Inner Cambodia. The Siamese ruled Battambang as a provincial capital through the Abhaiwongse family. By 1880, Battambang had emerged as an important trading city inhabited by around 2,500 residents, with the river acting as the main transportation link to Phnom Penh and Saigon. Under Thai rule, only one road was built in the city, with housing emerging on both sides of it. Other landmarks constructed included a fort where the governor resided, a market, several pagodas, and a Catholic hospital.In 1907, Battambang province was ceded to France to be reunited with Cambodia as part of French Indochina. Under the French, an urban layout was developed, which resulted in an enlarged French colonial town. This first attempt at modernization led to well-defined streets laid in a grid pattern and a series of open canals and bridges, in the locality now known as the Heritage Conservation Area. Both riverbanks were linked by the construction of two bridges in 1917. In 1926, a second phase of urban development was implemented, focusing on the west of Battambang, with a newly constructed railway linking the city to Phnom Penh. Residential villas, the central market, and state buildings were also constructed.In 1953, Prince Norodom Sihanouk chose Battambang as the centre of Cambodia's independence movement, and he spearheaded its modernisation during his leadership of an independent Cambodia. Battambang developed a plan to become an industrial and economic hub for northeast Cambodia. Battambang was Cambodia's second largest city during the 20th century. Textile and garment factories were built by French and Chinese investors, Battambang Airport was constructed, and the railway line was extended to the Thai border at Poipet. To serve the cultural needs of the population, numerous schools and a university were built, as well as a sports centre, a museum, and an exhibition hall.… see on Wikipedia

Content from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), Battambang, revision 1380138672, retrieved 2026-10-17